Excerpt - Samhain Scorchers "Destiny's Star"

Just give me an inkling, a small sign of what to do now.

“Taking a breather?” A sexy baritone touched her ears as the scent of his cologne tickled her nose. She turned to the owner of the voice that tickled her skin and dampened her thong. Not what she was going for, but she was sure her sign would come yet— “Something like that.” He smiled and her breath caught. He was drop-dead gorgeous. “I was admiring the stars.”

“Admiring or looking?” His green eyes danced. They were a contrast to his dark hair.

“A bit of both.” Her stomach flipped and fluttered. Suddenly, she was shy and nervous—two things she had never experienced in her life.

“I’m Ryland.” He held out his hand.

“Daria.” She placed hers in his to shake it. Her skin came alive at the casual contact and she quickly pulled her hand away. No! It couldn’t be. His soul had reached in and touched hers with the slightest caress of her hand. She swallowed at the images that flashed through her mind. Hot, erotic and sexually divine. It certainly explains my attraction to him. I wonder if it’s real or misperception?

“So, were you planning at staring at the stars all night?” With a smile like that, the man could have wanted to know her thong color and she would have showed instead of told him.

“Actually, I was about to take a walk through the garden.”

Something flickered in his eyes and Daria realized it resembled sadness. “My family’s pride and joy, most of all my nonna’s.”

Daria turned. “Nonna?”

Ryland smiled. “Italian, my grandmother, and she rarely attends such functions.”

Daria nodded and for some strange reason decided to keep quiet over the fact she knew exactly what Ryland had said. She hadn’t expected him to be Italian. “Never reveal that of yourself that is not mandatory. It keeps the element of mystery wrapped around you.

No man can resist a woman who wears mystery like a semi-seductive evening gown. Elegant, sexy and leaves them wanting more.” Her father’s words echoed in her mind.

“Daria?” Ryland’s voice cut into her memory.

“Sorry, you were saying?”

“I noticed you arrived with Levi.”

“Yes, he’s a dear friend.” And watches over me more like a mother hen than a wolf.

“A friend.” Ryland flashed another brilliant smile. “Well, in that case, what kind of a host and gentleman would I be, if I didn’t offer you my company and an arm for your walk? Providing you still want to take a walk.”

Nope, I would rather act out the sinful things I pictured with both of us naked.

“Well…” She stepped closer and added a little more of a sway to her hips than normal. She ate men like Ryland for dinner then cut them off before they could have her for dessert. “What kind of lady would I be if I didn’t accept such a chivalrous gesture?”

Ryland looked intrigued and delighted. “Wonderful, spare me a quick moment and I’ll be right back.”

He was putty, such a sexy way to spend the evening. “As the gentleman needs.” At her seductive glance, his brows went up and desire flickered in his eyes. He looked dashing as he turned and walked away.

He’s the one. Now what do I do?